THERAPIST or PRACTITIONER?

[tanja3703]

From a marketing standpoint......are titles important?I was listening to a Health program recently on the subject of massage.  The guest speaker emphasized she was a "Holistic Massage Practioner".  When asked what was it that made her different from any other massage therapist in the city.  She explained, her focus was on not only on muscles, tendons & tissues, but also the energy of the client, healing the body-Mind-and Spirit.Isn't that what we all do on some level?  IS there a major difference between:Massage TherapistBodyworkerMassage PractitionerHolistic Massage Practitioner  etc..What is your Title?......My title has been CMT

 

[Holden]

I can understand the "Holistic Massage Practitioner" wanting to try to separate herself a little from someone who strictly does massage.  Congrats to her for standing out from the crowd a little.  Yes, aren't we all holistic?  Of course......but sounds like she has ventured a little further into the world of holistics than me. As for advertising as "nationally certified"........for those of us in states that are unregulated.....it does give us a little bit more credibility than someone who has never gone to massage school and practices massage.....or perhaps someone who has gone to massage school, but did not even bother to get nationally certified.  I don't know that the public is really that knowledgable about what is required for national certification, so I doubt that they realize it's entry level.    Some folks are just caught up in seeing certificates on your wall or letters after the name.  We are in the midst of obtaining certification here in our state.  It will be voluntary, so you can still practice massage without it.  No further testing will be required to obtain certification either.  I know people who have obtained licenses from other states......states they have never even been to.  It didn't require a test or anything......just payment and forms.  But, now they can claim they are "Licensed"......doesn't make them any more educated or a better therapist.....but some of the public will feel safety in seeing "Licensed Massage Therapist", even though they really have no clue what that means.

 

[Aziz Shobash]

THERAPIST or PRACTITIONER?

Kneaded...not sure how to take your comment "or perhaps someone who has gone to massage school, but did not even bother to get nationally certified."I am an RMT (that's what we go by around here...that or LMT) who couldn't afford to take the national exams (which require considerable more studying/money than what we got in our schooling to be a state-registered LMT). Maybe someday I can but at this point, it's not financially possible...it's not that I "didn't even bother", as I think I bothered enough to legally practice sufficiently in my state.Be well,Jen

 

[Jave]

I use therapist and practitioner interchangeably. آ I got certified through the MEE when it was in use and quite frankly it was a much better, more thorough test than the current NCE. آ Kneaded, I am one of those people who "didn't bother to get certified" because I see the NCE as one of the biggest jokes ever to be pushed down the throats of all massage therapists. آ And yes, I am in a state that doesn't have state licensing...yet.IMO, it is one thing to want to take the NCE because it is something you wish to have as a credential. آ It is completely another to have it mandated by the state because a small group of people lobbied for it successfully.  Especially when more than half of the practitioners (nationally) feel it doesn't test for competence in the field.  As you can tell, I'm one of those practitioners.

 

[Lilbit]

THERAPIST or PRACTITIONER?

Certifcates usually come from a school and anyone can have, or give a certificate.Licenses come from legislative bodiesAs stated, some states require licensing (like my state) and you get stuck with a designation. I sorta like it that way. Do not have all these confusing letters- HHP, NMT, LMP, CMT, NCBTMB, ..... Everyone is an LMT.I prefer the term massage therapist over practitioner and I think the public does too.Call yourself a Bodyworker and a lot of people think you pound fenders for a living. I am also an HHP (holistic health practitioner)- the school gave me that. Would never use it. Who cares what letters I have behind my name.

 

[Davycrop]

I didn't mean to step on any toes or ruffle feathers when commenting about those "who didn't even bother" to take National Exam.  I was thinking of the people who have either graduated from schools that are really not up to par, or those students who really aren't up to par who "didn't bother" because in reality, they probably wouldn't be able to pass.  I certainly understand that there are those who think NCE is all about the $$ and nothing else.  I respect those opinions and also respect people's options not to take the exam.  When certification becomes available here, it will not be mandatory.  I know people who will not be opting to be certified.  It certainly doesn't make them any less qualified to give massage than me.  It doesn't make me a better therapist for being certified.  For me, however, I believe it will give the public a little bit more comfort to know that I am certified by the state.....I will be able to share with them what that means if they ask.  It shows them that someone's watching over the job I'm doing and I don't mind having someone to be responsible to.  I think the public can take comfort in knowing that I've met certain educational requirements, criminal background check and that I am willing to follow the requirements for sanitation, etc. set up by the Nursing Board.  We live in a society that is coming around....but the reality is many still are a little unsure about the legitimacy of massage.  There are also those folks who take comfort in knowing that you didn't just wake up one day and decide to be a massage therapist because your husband said you're great with your hands.  Like it or not, certification helps give us credibility and professionalism.  Bodyworker........pounding fenders......never thought of it.  LOL

 

[dmorgan924]

I actually agree that LCMT does sound quite redundant.  Another thing that bugs me is people who put LMT when they are in an unregulated state.  How can you put that?  There is no license.  And if you have a license from another state but now work in a state that isn't, I still don't think you should put that.  You may be licensed, but not in the state that you're working in so why put it.  I understand your point mimi but in the example you gave, wouldn't you then want to just make sure that you put CMT.  Since you made it seem like the "license" wasn't important but the "certification" was, wouldn't you want to call yourself a CMT?  Why LCMT?    

 

[TimothyRayburn]

THERAPIST or PRACTITIONER?

good point...I was a CMT before I took the state exam. Once I took the state exam (and passed), I was then legally able to consider myself an LMT (or RMT because I was then Registered with the state). In my logical sense of it all, you're either a CMT or an LMT/RMT (not both). Kneaded--not to worry. To be quite honest, money issues had me pick the school that I chose to acquire my Massage Certification. I will say that even though it was cheaper to go to the one I chose, I really got quite a bit out of the course. Years later, I feel that I didn't get enough schooling while I was attending the program but it couldn't be helped. Thank goodness for CEU's, eh? Be well,Jen

 

[Felisha S]

THERAPIST or PRACTITIONER?

here in the state of ga alot of therapist are certified but not license. there is no license req at this time here. if you go and try to get a business license here most likely they will list you as an adult entertainer. a label most of us can do without. so most of us dont bother getting a Business license..

 

[sid]

Just thought I'd throw this out there -- I live in CO -- there are no state regulations hereHowever, I am still a LMT because each city/suburb has it's own requirements for a licensing. You need a seperate license for each city/suburb you practice in.   So I currently have 2 licenses for two suburbs that I practice in.  That's how a therapist from an unregulated state is considered a LMT -- hope that clears up some confusion. ;D

 

[GlenjaminO @ YouTube.com]

i understand that's how they get the license but i don't get why a therapist would want to put THAT's how they are licensed....because some city collected 50 bucks from them and did a check for TB and other communicable diseases.  that doesn't make you a licensed massage therapist, it makes you "legal" to work in that city.  at least that's how it is here.

 

[cadisneygirl]

I went to school in New Mexico (which has licensure). I paid a lot of money for school and worked my butt off to learn everything I did. Shortly after graduation I moved back to Idaho. A state with no regulations what so ever. I feel by getting licensed (I have my temp now and once I take the NCE it will be permanent) I am showing the public that I have the training that others in my town and state may not. Anyone here can hang a shingle saying massage, but only those of us who completed the required amount of schooling can take the NCE. I am not a fan of the NCE but it is how I can get my premanent license from a state that I went to school in. I have not heard of being able to just send money to a state you are not in and get a license.  A few of the therapists here are just stylist who are rubbing people. One therapist write articles for a local paper on things like aromatherapy not giving out any info on who shouldn't use EO's or how to actually use them properly. It is scary because most people don't know that there is no licensure or regulation  here. They just assume that if you call yourself a massage therapist or offer massage that you must know what you are doing. So once I get the NCE out of the way I will probably state that I am licensed as well as nationally certified.

 

[ravin_lunatic]

THERAPIST or PRACTITIONER?

Certification is given to students who have successfully completed a Massage Training Program from an accredited school, thereby awarding the title Certified Massage Therapist.

Licensed means a Certified Massage Therapist who has a business license with the city, county, or state, where they practice.

I believe the definitions of "Certified" and "Licensed" vary by location.  Here in our state (NJ), we have been asked not use "Certified" because it will lead the public to think that we are certified by the state.  As state certification comes into being, we will only be able to use "Certified MT" if we are certified by the state.  There are a whole bunch of other titles you cannot call yourself either (Massage Therapist) being one of them.  

Once we apply to the state and pay our money and get fingerprinted and whatever else they require of us, we will then be "Certified".....not "Licensed".  I can't recall exactly.....but, I think that "licensure" would be REQUIRED.  And.....certification in NJ will be optional, which is why we will be considered "Certified" and not "Licensed".  

There are some towns in the state that do require some sort of city business license in order to practice massage.  I don't think it's something businesses in those towns add to their title though.  You don't see a sign on the highway in those towns "Joe's Licensed Crab Shack".  I guess you just hang on the sign on your wall and people see that you are following city ordinances when they come to your establishment....much like being inspected for fire safety or sanitation.  Imaginen if folks got caught up in ALL city requirements in their title......."Joe's Safety Inspected, Fire Safe, Licensed Crab Shack."  

I think MT's get so hung up on the "licensed" and "certified" thing in our title only because we want people to know that we are legitimate in some way.  Plumbers have to be licensed....and I think it must be some law that they display their license number.....but you don't see them saying Joe's Licensed Plumbing or Joe Smith, LP (licensed plumber).  He just lists the name of his business and then somewhere on his business card, truck and yellow pages ad he lists his plumbing license number......lets us know that he is indeed licensed and we can check things out if we like.  

 

[Pompal 09.]

I think with all the titles...NCTMB is the one people ask about the most(did I even get all the letters right?).My co-leasee uses them after her name and my clients ask me what that is.I never took the NCE because I was waiting for the NJ requirement.  Now, my paperwork is off....What really irkes me...and sorry if anyone here does it....People I know..instructors included are licensed in IA but live here.  I think it is deceptive.  I even think(and I could be wrong about this one), that in IA you send them money and they send you a license....correct me if I am wrong.A long time ago I worked in an offsite medical clinic for a NY hospital.  We let go all of the nurses and kept only MA's and clerical staff.  The director changed our dress code.  We (clerical) went from street clothes to WHITE scrubs.  The public assumed we were nurses.  I was called nurse all of the time......it was deceptive.NJ's new title act is voluntary....I just don't get it.  I'll send in my extra few hundred dollars to have the right to call myself a Massage Therapist......I guess that's better than billing myself as a AC locator & spindle manipulator.Robyn

 

[Tsunami]

THERAPIST or PRACTITIONER?

I'm sorry - but...I think having initials and titles after our names may benefit us, at least in the short term. Initials/titles, for better or worse, helps to give the general public confidence in whom they're seeing. Granted, anyone can place a few letters after their name, but if they're not entitled to their use they may get into trouble.Another think about is with initials/titles after our names, I think people would be more prone to take us seriously as massage therapist professionals and not some sleaze ball who performs other services.just my .02 worth.

 

[frogysue]

Wow!....all of your responses are great!It seems most people here use the title "Therapist" more than "Practitioner" In the meantime,  what title do you or others use in the state of NJ since you are not allowed to use "Massage Therapist" or "Certified Massage therapist" or, are titles forbidden alltogether in marketing?I have seen business cards where the word therapist was not used, only a name ...Ex: "Massage By Lucy"

 

[gordon3392]

In NJ, most of us are using "Massage Therapist".  Many are using "Certified Massage Therapist" because they have been using it for years, feeling that their certification from massage school indeed qualified them to use that title.  The Board of Nursing did ask that we not use "Certified Massage Therapist" once the laws were passed, making certification something that was coming up the road.  Of course, it was a verrrrrrrrrry long road.  Most people did not comply.  Nobody is policing it.  It will be interesting to see what happens to those folks who are using "Certified" now and who choose not to be state certified.........most likely nothing will happen unless someone complains about it.  I don't know what, if any, plans they have to get this word out to the public.  If the public isn't made aware of the certification, then, they won't know what questions to ask or know the difference between someone who uses certified because they received certification from their school and those who are state certified.  I realize that it is up to us, as therapists to help in the education process, but I do believe that the Nursing Board does have some responsibility in this.  Hopefully, there will be some news releases and things like that.  It's just all a big muddle and most of the public has no idea what any of it means.  Some are surprised to learn that you don't have to be certified or approved by anybody to do massage in this state.  Others assume that if you have "certified" in your title, that it means the state has certified you.  For people like  me who state that they are nationally certified......people think it sounds big and important, but they really have no idea what was required to get that certification.  When asked, I try to educate my clients as much as possible and as honestly as possible.  I'm very clear that just because someone is not nationally certified, or who may choose not to be state certified when it is available, does not mean that they are any less qualified to do massage, but it would be prudent to ask a few more quesitons in those situations to ascertain whether or not the person has just a weekend course under their belt, or they've actually attended a legitimate massage school.So.....there you go.......probably more info. than you needed to know.

 

[lady rose]

When I graduated massage school over 7 years ago I called myself a "massage therapist." Some said that we could call ourselves a "certified massage therapist" but I did not feel that I was entitled to do this fresh out of MT school. I felt to do so, I would need to be certified in a specific technique other than swedish.I know others who attended different schools in my state did not see this as a big ethical issue, but I did.Then the state law here in WI was passed... and we were told to call ourselves, "Registered Massage therapist (RMT)". Which I did... though I never understood why others sometimes called themselves, "Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT)" when the state does not license us yet, and we've been working toward that for over 7 years.  As Kneadedmassage said, the road to licensure in a state (WI) can be very long!  (Perhaps it was because our paper work was called a "registration of licensure?")Anyway, now in WI we are called, "Certified Massage Therapists"... apparently our state feels we're worthy to be certified now... and I believe the National Certification Exam is necessary now here. I took it a year after graduation. In addition, we're required by state law to include our state license # on each and every peice of advertising calling ourselves a massage therapist or bodyworker.  (You must also have liability insurance to practice in WI and graduated from a 600 hr school. We do however have a reciprocal arrangement supposedly with other states when it comes to being licensed here.)However, it's important to note we have Title Protection only here. Not Practice protection. So, yes, that's right. You can still decide to do massage and charge for it without going to school... and call yourself a "Massage practitioner" or any other title you would like to call yourself by... and it's perfectly legal.While I don't think you need to have the title to be able to do the work with your hands, I do think some consistency would be a good thing.   ???